The Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials were trials that accused people of practicing witchcraft. They came about in 1692 and ended around 1693. The trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts and claimed the lives of more than 19 people, even though more than 200 people were convicted (Smithsonian).
Two things stirred up chaos in the Salem village. First, rivalries started with families of Salem because resources became scarce. Another reason is that Reverend Samuel Parris became the villages first ordered priest in 1689. He was condemned by the villagers because of strict approach and his selfish personality (Smithsonian).
In January of 1692, three girls started having "fits". The "fits" consisted of contorted bodies, uttering weird sounds, screaming, and throwing things. Two of the girls, Elizabeth and Abigail Williams, were related to Reverend Parris. On February 29th, three helpless women were blamed, Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn. All three women were brought before the authorities and interrogated. Tituba was the only one that confessed, however all three women were convicted and executed (Smithsonian).
On May 27th, 1692, Governer Williams Phipps established a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer; due to his own wife being questioned, Phipps replaced the program with a superior court. Phipps eventually pardoned all who were imprisoned and executed of witch craft charges by May 16th, 1693 (Smithsonian). But it was too late, because the damage had already been done. 19 people were hanged and over 200 people were convicted. The government did a fantastic job!
Two things stirred up chaos in the Salem village. First, rivalries started with families of Salem because resources became scarce. Another reason is that Reverend Samuel Parris became the villages first ordered priest in 1689. He was condemned by the villagers because of strict approach and his selfish personality (Smithsonian).
In January of 1692, three girls started having "fits". The "fits" consisted of contorted bodies, uttering weird sounds, screaming, and throwing things. Two of the girls, Elizabeth and Abigail Williams, were related to Reverend Parris. On February 29th, three helpless women were blamed, Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn. All three women were brought before the authorities and interrogated. Tituba was the only one that confessed, however all three women were convicted and executed (Smithsonian).
On May 27th, 1692, Governer Williams Phipps established a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer; due to his own wife being questioned, Phipps replaced the program with a superior court. Phipps eventually pardoned all who were imprisoned and executed of witch craft charges by May 16th, 1693 (Smithsonian). But it was too late, because the damage had already been done. 19 people were hanged and over 200 people were convicted. The government did a fantastic job!